The 50° Anniversary

6 April 1966 - 6 April 2016

On 6 April 2016 the restaurant called Ristorante Da Vittorio opened in Bergamo. A great triumph for the Cerea family. A story of passion and courage engendered by a visionary - Vittorio Cerea - who was gifted with “seeing the bigger picture”, painting new horizons in the foodservice industry, discreetly innovating, creating a timeless style, constantly rejuvenated, regardless of the passing fads, which his children have pursued in the same spirit. A story of hard work and constant effort, but also of great joy and delight. A successful family saga, emblematic of innovative and fine quality "Made in Italy" style. A virtuous example in the foodservice industry and beyond. A large, united family of twenty-seven. Chicco and Bobo at the stove top, Rossella in the dining room and reception, Francesco at external events, Barbara at the Pasticceria Cavour in upper Bergamo, Mamma Bruna at “the management helm”, also controlling the family equilibrium - wives, husbands, grandchildren all helping in the kitchen, in the dining room and in the patisseries. Da Vittorio is a real going concern, with a world-class reputation and high ethical standards - all resulting from a love story.

The story of Signora Bruna

Mrs Cerea is moved as she thinks about the past 50 years. In Bruna's words: “Vittorio and I decided to open our own restaurant. I was panicky, and despite his great courage, he was a bit scared too”. Now Vittorio is no longer with us, but Bruna brings him to life with her every word, "because he was special. He put his life into his work”.
Their love story began with a hot chocolate at the Bar Orobica in Bergamo. Mrs Cerea used to go into her future husband's venue after the movies. She confesses: "I saw Vittorio and it was love at first sight. I won him over with his mother's help". Two years after that meeting, Bruna was standing at the altar, wearing her wedding ring. After a while, the two of them decided to open their restaurant in viale Roma (now viale Papa Giovanni XXIII), in Bergamo. She made the cakes and the "cannoncini" (pastry horns), he worked in the kitchen. The major innovation that Vittorio brought to Bergamo was “fish” - an unknown ingredient there at the time.

In the meantime, their children were growing up and when they weren't studying they were working in the restaurant. Mrs Cerea explains: "They used to get home from school, throw their school bag in a corner and go into the kitchen or the dining room".As they grew older, they ventured out into the world: Chicco travelled a lot, Francesco a bit less, Bobo went to France for a while. In the meantime, the two youngest were also growing up: Barbara - who now runs the Cavour café - and Rossella, who wanted to be a doctor because she took care of her grandma.
Many years after opening their business in Bergamo, the Cerea family moved to Brusaporto. A few weeks after they moved, Vittorio passed away. Bruna gets emotional: "I'm happy he was able to see the new restaurant. I loved my husband so much, my feelings for him are so strong that I still feel his presence alongside me". Now her grandchildren have also joined her children. But, as Mrs Cerea says: "I'd prefer them to go their own way. I'm happy for them to help out on Saturday nights, but they need to follow their dreams".

How the dishes ofRistorante Da Vittorio evolved

“My husband's dishes were very beautiful, my sons' dishes are more studied”.Mrs Bruna Cerea is clear. On the one hand, putting into practice the gastronomic tradition of Italy, on the other the evolution towards modernity served up by the heirs. A mix that cannot be separated, and which is now the trump card in the cuisine of the Da Vittorio restaurant.

Da Vittorio
Via Cantalupa, 17
24060 Brusaporto (BG) - Italy

Weekly closing: Wednesday noon

Phone +39 035.681024
Fax +39 035.680849

www.davittorio.comThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

A charging station for electric vehicles is available to our guests in the restaurant, so while you’re enjoying a break, our staff will recharge your car.